BMW hit-and-run case: No more jail time for Sanjeev Nanda, says SC

Aug 03, 2012 |

Agencies

New Delhi

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The Supreme Court has ruled that Delhi-based businessman Sanjeev Nanda need not have to undergo any more jail term for running over six people in his BMW in 1999.

Nanda and his friends had escaped from the scene of crime after killing six people including three constables. Also, tests had showed that Nanda was drunk at the time of the accident.

Though Sanjeev Nanda was sentenced to five years in jail by a Delhi court, the Delhi High Court lowered the sentence to just two years instead.

Nanda's lawyer Ram Jethmalani had argued that his client must not be held guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder because he was not aware or 'in the knowledge' that his rash driving would cause deaths.

Delhi Police then asked the Supreme Court to impose a stricter punishment with a 10-year-sentence.

The Supreme Court agreed that Nanda should have been convicted under a tougher section of the law, but said he does not need to return to jail.

However, the judges blamed Nanda for showing 'no mercy' by not stopping to help the people he had injured.

He has been asked to do two years of community service and to donate 50 lakhs which will be used to help victims of road accidents.

It may be noted that Nanda is the grandson of former naval chief S.M. Nanda. His parents and his wife were in court on Friday.

The BMW hit-and-run case and its trial proceedings came to exemplify the middle-class India's frustration with the court hearings with the rich being able to delay the entire judicial process.

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